NVCC Helps Congresswoman Esty Launch National STEM Competition

"App" Workshop will be held at College April 5

Waterbury, Conn. – Naugatuck Valley Community College is partnering with Congresswoman Elizabeth Esty (CT-5) in the local launch of the first annual House Student App Challenge, a national competition promoting high school STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) student engagement and innovation in mobile programming.

At 1 p.m. on Mon., March 10, President Daisy Cocco De Filippis, Ph.D. joined Congresswoman Esty in a press conference at New Britain High School inviting students to participate in the competition by creating an app for a mobile, tablet or computer device.

NVCC has also agreed to co-host a workshop with Congresswoman Esty on April 5 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., allowing participating students to utilize the College’s faculty and computer resources in their work and to record their submissions. NVCC currently offers an associate degree in computer science as well as specialized certificates and a mobile device programming course, in which students spend the semester working toward individual application development.

“Empowering students to create and acknowledging their hard work and completion is a powerful way to engage critical thinking and problem solving skills, particularly in the STEM field,” said President De Filippis. “We are excited to provide a venue for students to work in and to eventually see their mind’s work in the technology that they produce. Mobile applications speak with currency about where we are moving as a society.”

One winner will be selected from each participating congressional district. The winner of the fifth district will be announced on May 18 at 2 p.m. at NVCC.

“NVCC has been an incredible partner in this competition,” said Congresswoman Esty. “The U.S. House Student App Challenge is an opportunity for students to be creative and get excited about computer programming. I’m proud to be co-sponsoring a workshop with NVCC where students can access computer resources to make their ideas come to life. Jobs in computer programming and design are expected to grow by 50% in the next few years. Our students need to be prepared for the jobs of the 21st century, and this competition will help students gain experience with computer programming at a young age.”

Congresswoman Esty serves on the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee and has focused on supporting science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education. She introduced a bill supporting teacher professional development in the STEM fields.

New Britain Mayor Erin Stewart, Starbase CT Executive Director Melissa Vanek, New Britain Superintendent of Schools Kelt Cooper, and New Britain high school students also attended the event.